Vanuatu sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where tectonic uplift and frequent eruptions have sculpted its islands and affected local livelihoods for centuries. Volcanic activity is part of everyday life here, from steam vents on shorelines to summits that occasionally force evacuations.
There are 6 Active Volcanoes in Vanuatu, ranging from Ambae to Yasur. For each one you’ll find below Location (island; coords),Last eruption (year),Primary hazards (max 15 words) to help you compare where they are, when they last erupted, and the key risks — you’ll find below.
How often do Vanuatu’s volcanoes erupt?
Eruption frequency varies by volcano: some like Yasur erupt nearly continuously at low levels, while others have decades between events; monitoring, recent activity, and local records give the best short-term picture.
Should visitors or residents be worried about these volcanoes?
Risk depends on proximity, volcano type, and current alerts — follow local advisories, avoid exclusion zones, and check real-time updates from Vanuatu Meteorology and Geohazards Department before traveling.
Active Volcanoes in Vanuatu
| Name | Location (island; coords) | Last eruption (year) | Primary hazards (max 15 words) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambrym | Ambrym; -16.25, 168.12 | Ongoing | Lava lakes, ash, pyroclastic flows, gas, ballistic ejecta |
| Yasur | Tanna; -19.53, 169.44 | Ongoing | Frequent Strombolian explosions, ash, ballistic ejecta, gas |
| Ambae | Ambae (Aoba); -15.37, 167.84 | 2018 | Ashfall, gas emissions, lahars, lava, aviation hazards |
| Lopevi | Lopevi; -16.55, 167.82 | 2007 | Explosive ash, ballistic ejecta, lava flows, gas |
| Gaua | Gaua; -14.22, 167.62 | Unknown | Ashfall, lahars, explosive eruptions, gas |
| Vanua Lava | Vanua Lava; -13.23, 167.64 | Unknown | Lava flows, ashfall, gas, pyroclastic flows |
Images and Descriptions
Ambrym
Ambrym’s famous Marum and Benbow craters host persistent lava lakes and frequent Strombolian activity. Regular ash, gas emissions, and occasional pyroclastic flows make it hazardous; visits require experienced guides and respect for exclusion zones.
Yasur
Yasur is one of the world’s most consistently active volcanoes, with nearly continuous Strombolian explosions. Close viewing is possible with guides, but ash, ballistic rocks and volcanic gas present serious hazards.
Ambae
Ambae (Aoba) produced major eruptions in 2017–2018 causing island-wide evacuations. It can generate heavy ashfall, toxic gas and lahars that damage crops and infrastructure; access is often restricted during unrest.
Lopevi
Lopevi is a small, uninhabited volcanic island with intermittent explosive eruptions. Ash and ballistic ejecta are primary hazards; landing is dangerous and the island remains largely off-limits to researchers and officials.
Gaua
Gaua’s Mount Garet has produced explosive eruptions and crater-lake interactions that drive ashfall and lahars. The island has villages exposed to hazards; monitoring is limited so precautionary measures are important.
Vanua Lava
Vanua Lava hosts an active stratovolcano that has erupted in the historical record. Hazards include lava flows, ash and gas; access is by boat and communities must heed warnings during unrest.
